Spark-intensifier for spark-plugs.



A. F. GILLET. SPARK INTENSIFIER FOR SPARK PLUGS. APPLICATION FILED DEC. I7, 1914.

10 M. I@ /0 A@ Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

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I L l L .IIL Ig A L L L noauto@ II I ww @..MM M my lll) ALEXIS E'. GILLET, 0F OMAHA, NEBRASKA, ASSE('rll'tllt` T0 J'UBLEE MANUFACTURING- CONIPANY, OF MAHA, NEBRASKA, .A CRPORATN. y

SPARK-ENTENSIFER FOR SERKFLUGS.

Application tiled December 11, 19M.. Serial No. 277,671.

for one of its objects to provide such a frame.

and mounting for the intensiier or spark gap that a short circuit ofthe electrical charges which pass to the spark plug will be prevented.

Another object is to provide an adjustable mounting for the frame so that it may be disposed at a desired angle with referencev to the spark plug.

The invention also has reference to such a mounting for the insulating plates in the frame that they 'will be relieved from stresses tending to cause fractureor disintegration when they becomel weakened yfrom effects of the heat of the electrical charges.

With these objects in view the invention presents a novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as described herein and claimed, and as illustrated in the drawing, wherein, Y

Figure 1 is a yview in longitudinal section through the frame of the intensifier or spark gap, a part of a spark plug being also shown, said frame being disposed at right angles to the spark plug. Fig. 2 is a view in transverse section through the connecting band. Fig. 3 is a view of one of the ends of the frame for the spark gap. Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation of theframe for'the spark gap, a part of a spark plug being also shown, said frame /being ldisposed in line with the spark plug. Fig. 5 shows a side view of the connecting band mounted on the end of a spark plug. Figs. 6 and 7 respectively are views in transverse section of the outer and inner supporting blocks used in connection with the band shown in Fig. 5.

Referring now to the drawing, numeral 8 indicates a spark plug, and in order that the electrical charges in conjunction with the spark plug may have greater intensity for igniting the gas, and in order that an operator may ascertain, by visual examination, whether the electrical charges are being conducted to the spark plug, a frame 9 is pro- Specication of Letters Patent.

vided for a spark gap, consisting, in. part, of the pair of substantially parallel disks or circular plates 10 of electrical non-conducting material disposed end to end, each being formed to open on its side and outer en d with an annular recess 11, and provided with an outwardly projecting cylindrical part 12, and being formed with an annular recess 13 opening on its side and inner end, and providingan inwardly projecting cyn lindrical part 14. Y

Numeral 15 indicates a transparent tube or sleeve adapted to be seated in recesses 13.

At 16 are indicated a pair of@ annular .rims disposed in recesses 11 and projecting outwardly of the peripheries of the disks. By means of the screws 17 which traverse said rims outwardly of the sides of' the sleeve and' disks, said disks may be normally pressed against the ends of the sleeve and maintained in connected relation.

Numerals 18 and 19 respectively indicate sparking-pinsV or electrodes v which are threaded axially in the electrical non-conducting plates.`

rarement aan.. as, taie.

At 20 is indicated a circular band, provided midway .between its ends with a slot 21 and an aperture 22 (Fig. 2). lt may be `'readily connected with the outer end of the spark plug, thev electrode 23 thereof traversingapertures 2f-l of the supporting-blocks 25 and 26, the block 25 being interposed between the end ofthe spark plug and said .band and having a concaved surface corre-v electrode 18, the latter being disposed in v .slot 21, and by means of the nut 27 the band 20 may be compressed between block 25 and 26. Since these blocks and band 20 are preferably constructed of metal they will,

in conjunction with the band 20, operate to conduct the electrical charges` from the electrode 18 to the electrode 23.

rlhe electrode 19 may be adjusted longitudinally so that its convergent end will be disposed a suitable distance from the corresponding inner end of the electrode 18, and

traverses. By `means of the thumbnut 29' the wire or electrical conductor 30 may be pressed against the lock nut 28.

As thus described, the pair of rims 11 andvscrewsl'? provide a metallic over-frame for pressing the insulating plates toward each other, and it will be noted that said plates are not depended upon for holding the screws 1.6. It is well known that the insulating parts when constructed of rubber or fiber, after a certain amount of use, become decomposed and very much weakened on' accountof the excessiveheat to which they are subjected, and one of the 'advantages derivedv by the present construction is that the disintegration or fracture of the insulating plates usually caused by bolts or screws threaded in said plates will be avoided, the stresses generally sustained by the insulating plates occasioned by said bolts or screws, being directed to the metallic frame, 1n the present instance.

The function discharged by the inwardly projecting part 14C of each insulatingplate is not only to provide a support for the transparent tube, but it adds a` much needed thickness or" length to the plate for an adequate support 'of the electrode threaded axially therein. This cylindrical projection is convenient in manufacture and tends to prevent vibration of the electrode. The o'utwardly projecting'parts 14 provide adequate insulation between the metallicrims 16 and other metallic parts, to prevent a short circuit of the electrical charges. By this construction it maybe said that each annular rim is disposed intermediate the ends of an insulating plate or disk.

In the use of spark gaps for the spark plugs of internal combustion engines, it is not only well known that the heat causes decomposition and cleavage of the insulating plates, but also that the parts are subjected to continued vibration, and sand and dust accumulates and causes a short circuit 'for the electrical charges,also that the spark plugs are less accessible on some engines than others, and therefore the particular form now provided for the metallic plates, the particular metallic frame and the mounting of said frame upon said plates and the location of the metallic frame with reference to extraneous metallic parts, and the mounting for the device which permits it to be disposed at any desired angle to the i spark plug so that it may be conveniently seen by an operator, are all features of advantagewhich will be appreciated by those who use the device.

`Having fully described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,-

l. In a spark intensifier, the combination of a vpair of electrical insulating disks disposed end to end adjacent to each other each being provided with a pair of annular recesses openings respectively on each of its ends and side, a transparent sleeve disposed inone of the recesses of each disk intermediate said disks, a pair of rims disposed in the other recess and projecting outwardly of the side of each disk, keepers disposed outwardly of the sides of the disks and connected withsaid rims for pressing the disks against the sleeve, and a pair of electrodes formed as screws disposed axially of and traversing the disks, each being provided, adjacent to its outer end, with devices for clamping an electrical conductor.

2. In a spark intensifier, the combination of a pair of electrical insulating disks disposed end to end adjacent to each other, a transparent sleeve having its respective ends dlsposed intermedlate the respective ends of each disk, a pair of rims each being disposed intermediate the ends and projecting outwardly of the side of a disk, means on said rims and disposed outwardly of the sides of the disks and sleeve for pressing the rims toward each other, and a pair of electrodes formed as screws disposed axially `of and traversing the disks, each being provided, adjacent to its outer end, With devices for clamping an electrical conductor.

3. In a spark intensifier for spark plugs, the combination of a pair of electrical insulating disks disposed end to end adjacent to each other, a transparent sleeve disposed intermediate the ends of each disk, a pair of rims each being disposed -intermediate the ends and projecting outwardly of the side of a disk, means on said rims and disposed outwardly of the sides of the disks and sleeve for pressing the rims toward each other, a pair of electrodes formed as screws disposed axially of and traversing the disks,

a band having a curved part with a slot formed longitudinally therein, coperative devices for mounting the band' upon the spark plug, coperative devices for mounting the intensifier on said band with one of its electrodes disposed in said slot, and means on the other electrode of the intesifier for clamping an electrical conductor.

In testimony whereof, I have aixed mv signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALEXIS F. GILLET Witnesses:

HIRAM A. STUnGns, W. T. Loomis. 

